Group linked to Blue Mountains circus carried out 'blood rituals' during abuse of boys, police allege
Updated
New South Wales Police have charged seven people with 127 offences over the alleged sexual and physical abuse of three boys between 2014 and 2016 which included "blood rituals".
The charges have been laid against people linked to The Arcade Circus which is at Katoomba, the ABC has confirmed.
It is a community-based circus whose participants include children with and without disabilities. It was established in 2009.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad set up Strike Force Baillieu in July last year to investigate reports of abuse on three boys under the age of eight, police said.
The ABC has been told police will allege the abuse allegedly involved sadistic sex acts and what police have termed "blood rituals" where blood was taken from the boys and they were forced to drink it.
Police will allege the accused filmed the abuse and took photographs of the boys during the degrading acts.
The boys were known to the group and were not students of the circus training school.
Police said there was no information to suggest there were any further victims, but detectives are appealing for anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation to come forward.
Four women, two men and a 17-year-old girl have been arrested.
"Police will allege in court the group participated in ongoing sexual and physical abuse of three boys, who were known to them, between 2014 and 2016 in the Blue Mountains," a police statement said.
The arrests were made at homes in Katoomba, Canterbury and Wentworthville yesterday.
A 58-year-old woman was charged with 43 offences, including aggravated sexual assault of a child under 10, have sexual intercourse with a child under 10, and aggravated kidnapping.
A 26-year-old woman was charged with 13 offences, including aggravated sex assault in company.
A 29-year-old woman was charged with offences including five counts of aggravated sexual assault.
A 52-year-old man was charged offences including three counts of aggravated sexual assault in company.
They were expected to face Penrith Local Court and Central Local Court today.
A 17-year-old girl was charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual assault in company, aggravated kidnapping, and producing child abuse material.
An 18-year-old man was charged with 42 offences, including kidnapping, and sexual intercourse with a child under 10.
A 20-year-old woman was charged with offences including aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping.
They were expected to face Parramatta Children's Court today.
There is no information to suggest there are further victims, however, Strike Force Baillieu investigators are appealing for anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation to come forward by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or using the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
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